This will be my first attempt to remove the bed, looking underside the bolts are real rusted. I was thinking of drilling the heads of the bolts off from inside the bed rather than dealing with the rust. Does this seem doable or am I missing something. From there will be the front end and cab. Any suggestions on any of this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Howard

 

I,d try soaking them with penatrant for a couple of days and hit them with an impact wrench first.Try tightening first to crack them free then loosen to remove.You may have to alternate to get them off.If that doesn't work I have found an electric grinder and cutoff wheel is faster than drilling the heads off a bolt.I cut across in an "X" pattern until not much head left and use a chisle to remove remaining metal.I'm in the same situation in New England.Lot's of salt and rust make those nuts and bolts hard to remove.
Hope this helps.Frankbank

 

I agree with frankbank.. Id soak em with pb blaster or something similar everday for a few days. If it was me Id probably do it a whole week then use an impact on em. Heating them up a little might help too

 

I had a buddy try the grinder method, and it did work with some success, but the penetrating oil and/or heat worked way better and quicker, and did less damage to the bed.

 

Yeah if I find a bed to get rid of my cage then penetrating oil and heat will be the route I go. Works on rusty exhaust bolts so itll work on a bed as well.

 

Angle grinder worked great for me for grinding off the bolt heads, long sleeves, gloves, a couple of beers and one bedless 93 f250...lotsa slag, hence the long sleeves.

The bed was rusted to the frame rails too, so I had to use a long steel bar to pry the bed from the frame once the bolts were out.

Good luck!

 

yeah I have the same problem with my 82 f150. I might just barrow the cutting torch from my work and cut the bolts off. I don't care about the bed cause I'm building a flat bed for it. If you do that or grinding be careful of the fuel tank first.

 

if its that bad grind the heads off or wring them off coz it sounds like ur gunna need new ones any way... but if the beds not crappy just eat u a bowl of wheatys and get a 1/2" breaker bar and wring them off